Abacus

• Features a collection of vintage children’s instruments designed to evoke a sense of magic and mystery.
• Ideal for composers looking to incorporate unique, nostalgic sounds into their music.
• Requires Kontakt for use.

Product Overview

Abacus is a collection of vintage children’s instruments, capturing the playful essence of childhood through nearly one hundred meticulously sampled sounds. Produced in collaboration with Richard Harvey, this library spans instruments from the early 19th century to the 1980s, offering a nostalgic toolkit ideal for fantasy, adventure, and storytelling contexts.

Details

The library features 42 unique instruments, including a variety of tuned percussion, wind instruments, plucked instruments, and toy pianos, all sampled with a focus on authenticity. Each instrument is represented with its actual pitch range and specific articulations, ensuring a faithful playback experience. The collection includes rare and vintage pieces, such as antique musical boxes and a selection of bells, metallophones, and xylophones, which provide melodic and rhythmic versatility.

Abacus is recorded with five mixable mic positions, allowing for a high degree of control over the sound. This flexibility enables composers to tailor the sonic character to fit their projects, whether aiming for a whimsical atmosphere or a more sinister tone. The library also includes a range of percussion instruments, from traditional to playful, enhancing its suitability for various scoring needs.

With its consistent sonic aesthetic and rich timbral palette, Abacus serves as a valuable resource for creating evocative soundscapes that resonate with nostalgia and childlike wonder. The thoughtful design and expert sampling make it a compelling choice for composers looking to evoke specific moods in their work.